2017 Ford Fusion

Especially noteworthy about the new Fusion is that it’s available in many trims with a range of optional powertrains. With a gasoline engine of course, but also as a hybrid electric vehicle. The Fusion has a friendly starting price, but can be configured as a premium luxury vehicle as well. Then, even a powerful V6 engine is optional, greatly played by Ford to pull a larger public toward the 2017 Ford Fusion.

Exterior design

The front of the 2017 Ford Fusion offers some small changes in the detailing. The grille outline has the same overall shape, but is a bit sharper at the edges. The grille pattern remained the same on most trims except for on the V6 Sport and Platinum trim. On the Sport V6 it features a fine black mesh pattern, slightly reminiscent of chicken-wire. The Platinum gets that grille too, but with a chrome finish.

The hood seemingly underwent no changes at all. However, the lower air dam has changed into a much more sporty version. The air dam covers the whole lower bumper with just two diagonal body metal strips separating it from the foglights. These have a different shape as well, they are angular instead of circular. The headlights have changed a bit as well, now being wrapped around the side more. The actual lamps made place for LEDs.

All in all, the front looks much sportier and luxurious and a bit more aggressive.

The side has undergone no significant changes from the previous model. The 2017 Ford Fusion V6 Sport trim does get new and unique 19 inch wheels.

The rear stands out because of the new taillights with the chrome line between them. The lower bumper remained the same for the base model. That means one round exhaust on the right side. The Taurus trim gets two rectangular, chrome exhausts on either side and the V6 Sport gets four round, chrome exhausts.

Interior design

The interior looks cool and fresh. The gear shifter made place for a rotary knob and cleaned up the clutter. There’s a sturdy and sporty steering wheel added. The lowest trims have two cloth upholstery colour options. The higher trims have one or more leather upholstery colour options.

An air filter and manual climate control come standard.

A radio and CD-player with a four speaker sound system are standard on the lowest 2017 Ford Fusion S trim. An 8 inch infotainment screen and rear view camera are also included in the standard range. The base model’s instrument cluster is a 2.3 inch TFT-screen.

Optional interior features are heated and cooled seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and a twelve-speaker SONY audio system. Also, the regular digital instrument cluster screen can be replaced by two 4.2 inch ones. People who prefer manual shifting can opt for a steering wheel with mounted paddle shifters. The steering wheel can also be had with the option to be heated and there’s an ambient lighting package.

Engine specs

Starting with the engine that is present on the base model S, that’s a 2.5 liter Duratec four cylinder. It comes with a six speed automatic transmission, front wheel drive and makes 175 horsepower.

One trim higher, the SE, comes with the same engine as standard but has two extra engines to choose from. That’s the 1.5 liter EcoBoost with direct injection and front wheel drive. A six speed automatic transmission with optional paddle shifters is included and it makes 181 horsepower. Then, there’s also the 2.0 liter direct injection EcoBoost engine. Front Wheel drive is standard while all wheel drive is optional. With this engine the Fusion will come with a dual exhaust and horsepower is 245.

The 2017 Ford Fusion hybrid comes with a 2.0 liter gas engine with electric assist. The Fusion Energi (plug-in hybrid) comes with the same engine and a 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. Battery only is a 19 mile (30 km) range at high speed. Gas engine and battery combined provides a full range of over 500 miles (800 km). The battery is fully recharged in 2.5 hours on a household socket and can be programmed to recharge at off-peak hours to save money. Both the hybrid and the plug-in hybrid can make 141 horsepower on the gas engine alone and 188 combined. Both engines only come with front wheel drive.

Then, there’s the most awe-inspiring 2017 Ford Fusion trim, the Sport V6. It features a 2.7 liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine and makes 325 horsepower. All wheel drive is standard and The Sport V6’s active suspension can recognize potholes and reduce their impact.

Tech specs

The tech department is quite amazing too, even the base model has a range of standard tech features. The infotainment comes standard with Ford’s SYNC with voice recognition. The driver can call hands-free and name what artist or which song he wants to hear. Also, texts can be read aloud and 911 Assist calls help automatically in an emergency.

Higher trims also get SYNC3, an extended version of SYNC and SYNC Connect, to remotely access vehicle features. Moreover, there’s SiriusXM satellite radio and voice-activated Navigation System with SiriusXM Traffic and TravelLink.

Furthermore, there’s rain-sensing wipers and Remote decklid release. Finally, the 2017 Ford Fusion can be started remotely on higher trims.

Price and sale date

The 2017 Ford Fusion is now on sale or available for pre-ordering all across the United States. Pricing for the regular Fusion starts at $22,120 for the lowest S trim. Then there’s the SE trim that starts at $23,240 and the Titanium makes the jump to $30,240. The Sport V6 opens at $33,595 and finally, the Platinum trim starts at $36,740.

For Europe, the Fusion is called Mondeo. It will definitely go there, but probably arrives in the spring of 2017. Pricing is not made known yet.

2017 Ford Fusion was last modified: March 7th, 2017 by Miguel Dos Santos